Tuesday, February 5, 2013

1968, 1986, 1994 and by extension, today's discussions on Gun Control rage on.

I have yet to meet an non-Second Amendment compliant Libertarian and most of the guys and gals I hang with have skill sets to match their personal inventories. They are the epitome of responsible gun owners and a major bonus is their grasp of the history of the Republic and the importance of the natural right to defense of self and others.

Libertarian Chuck Donovan lays it out in this video from three years ago. It was shot River Bend Gun Club during the course of an afternoon's entertainment on the range. Please note that this is the only take we made that day and Chuck wrote the script on the fly as he was speaking.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Begging for Money.. er,ummh.... Fund Raising! 14 JUL 09

Hey Kids,

Well, the old cash register is ringing here at Bludgeon & Skewer! Our nascent little website is actually making money due to the Adsense ads we have running on the site below the navigation bar. It ain't time to conduct a leveraged buy-out of CBS, but the fact that there is currently enough in the account to pick up a 12 Pack of Bud Ice blows us away. It's more raw cash than any of our other activities has raised, as opposed to the millions of dollars we have helped cost our republican and democrat friends in last year's run-off for the US Senate seat here in Georgia. Who says the Libertarians can't effect change?

Which brings us the central theme of this particular screed. Fund raising. Beggin' for money. moochin' for moolah, simpering for samolians and all around caterwauling for cash. Your cash. If we don't get it from you, where are we supposed to get it? We sure as hell don't have any of our own. No rich Uncles here, or trust fund cougars charmed by our peculiar brand of political adventurism. In fact, our little organization is completely cash free. As for that little bit of change under the counter, well, the cats got it.

But there seems to be a way that the ol' B&S campaign fund can grow. Not by using the money of our somewhat quirky readership, but by harnessing the power of the internet and the terrible thirst that traditional political campaigns have for email lists, Facebook hits and all sorts of other contrived indicators of shifting public opiniion and political currents. The really cool part of this idea is that not only can you, the reader, generate money so some good ol' Tin Hat polishin', Heinlein readin', Star Trek watchin' Libertarians can take a brick bat to the entrenched political parties, you can make it happen with somebody else's freakin' money!

How can I do this you ask in astonishment? I don't have any money either! Haven't you heard there's a freakin' Man-cession going on?

Brother, we have heard and we are part of it as well. If business was good do you think we'd have time to think about politics? Hell no, we'd be out there working to make some bucks, buy some kool stuff and spend more time honing our shooting skills. Like you we ain't got a spare cent. But there are evidently some folks out there awash with cash. The republicans and democrats. Political campaigns that is.

Times are so hard that some of them are payin' good ol' adsense up to $2 to $3 for a single hit. How do we know this at Bludgeon & Skewer? We read our adsense account info and see that at least one political ad on our site generated $1.13 hit on our site two days ago. A $1.13 for one stinking hit on a free website that gets about 450 visits a month. Can you believe that? We almost can't, but Google says its so.

So here's the plan. If any of you like what you read on this site, scroll down to the bottom and click on one of the adsense ads under the navigation bar. Google calls this alternative content and it's supposed to complement the stuff you see here. And it does, my favorite is the ad for Al Franken, you know the democratic that successfully stole that senate seat up north. Click on his ad but be aware that McAffee does have a site advisory on it. Click just one ad please, don't go overboard and get all crazy and stuff.

Here's the hard part of it, come back tomorrow and do it all over again. Just think about being part of a slow fuse money bomb with someone else's money. That's a hell of a joke!

More to follow from you friendly neighborhood Libertarian Community Organizers!

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Nothing like a clear and self evident choice when it comes to politics and the citizens of Georgia State Senate District 11 have one.Libertarian Jeff Bivins has been working hard to get his message out as he sprints to the finish line next Tuesday and I found an interesting thread over at Georgia Outdoor News that illustrates his position on two very Libertarian issues, the 2nd amendment and sound money. I love it when candidates engage in message forums and respond to voters about the issues of the day. Here's the main course:

On Tuesday Jan 8th, you have a unique opportunity to put the most pro-gun candidate in this race into the Georgia Senate!

Hi,I am Jeff Bivins and I am running for the Senate District 11 Special Election. I am THE pro-gun candidate. I have an AQ rating from the NRA and I am endorsed by Georgia Right to Life.-I am the only candidate to even return the "Georgia Gun Owners" survey (100% of course).-I have a 20 year track record advancing the cause of freedom and preserving and restoring our gun rights at the grass roots level.-I will work to pass "Constitutional Carry"-I will draft Senate Companion bills for the 4 pro-gun bills introduced by Charles Gregory in the House. That's the fastest way to get these laws on to the Governor's desk. I'm the only candidate that has taken this position and it will be my first order of business.-I will work to implement the soon-to-be-released "NRA Defensive Pistol" course as a step to creating an "Enhanced Concealed Carry License" that will allow holders to carry in government buildings, and most importantly, school campuses. One of my closest friends wrote the course for the NRA as he is a "Master Training Consultant" whereas I am a lowly NRA Certified Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun instructor.-I am an FFL and Class III dealer-I am an advocate for "State Nullification" of unconstitutional federal law...like what is on the horizon.-I have a perfect score on the "Georgia Campaign for Liberty" survey.-I will fight to roll back "Sustainable Development"/UN Agenda 21 that the republican establishment is forcing down our throats. This is an all out war against our private property rights coming at us from numerous directions; from land use management to water rights.

Now is the time to re-establish our Republic starting in our own back yard. If you are in SW Georgia, please vote to keep our gun rights by voting for me. If you know someone in District 11, call them and spread the word.

And here's some more info on his stance on sound money:

What is your position on the Constitutional Tender Act? Would you be willing to sponsor it if elected?Now that is one of the best questions I have had to date.

Yes, I would support that in a New York second, but we don't have time! I tried to run for our House seat in November, but the Georgia 2 party dictatorship has ballot access laws designed to keep independent thinkers complaining and moaning on the sidelines as the "political class" destroys our wealth and wrecks our cities, counties, states and nation. One issue that I presented at the Georgia Libertarian Convention, where I received a unanimous nomination, was addressing our coming fiat currency collapse. We must do something at the state level before we can address our floundering fiat currency at the federal level. We have completely lost control at the federal level, so we must act at the state level to avoid disaster.

Here is what I propose. We must institute a state owned and operated bank. I know for many Libertarians that is a bitter pill to swallow. However, we have a model to copy just as we have a model of state nullification of federal law to copy. It's not coincidence that these models come from the same state: North Dakota. All state finances such as payments (in and out), fees, and taxes are handled through the "Bank of North Dakota". Think of it as a really big credit union. They provide low interest loans (student, home, agriculture, etc) and handle all state employee funds. Check out their history here: http://banknd.nd.gov/about_BND/history_of_BND.html

Moneyed interests began to abuse farmers using the illegitimate financial tools given to them by the federal government and the private central banking cartel. The people of the state demanded protection from this financial predation in 1919...and they got it. Today it is the most sound banking institution in our nation. That is also not a coincidence. Any profit generated by the bank is rolled back into state government for the express purpose of reducing the cost of government to the taxpayer. This system works, and it is the fastest and easiest way to regain control over our financial destiny. Once we have achieved this in Georgia, our coffers will begin to fill. Once that happens and Georgia becomes an economic powerhouse, the rest of the nation will follow suit. And once that happens, we can force an end to the private central banking cartel and return to sound money.

I have always been a gold bug, but I must say that I am now open to alternatives such as silver (best) or even greenbacks that have TIGHT M1 CONTROL (quantity). Without severe M1 control, as Ludwig Von Mises alluded to, all fiat currencies will eventually reach the zero sum.

BTW, my Bachelors in Science is in economics from Berry College. Their economics department is filled with firebrand Austrian School adherents like me. It took a lot for me to move away from gold, which is still the only true "money", but Bill Still presents powerful arguments, and I am a fan of his work.

Check out his videos "The Money Masters" and "The Secret of Oz" on youtube. His book "No More National Debt" is also a read that is well worth your time.

For those of you that have contributed, I am amazed at your selfless acts. I teach my children that selflessness is the highest exhibition of human virtue, despite that at my heart lies an Objectivist. The men, many of them former and retired military, who are volunteering for my campaign absolutely amaze me. And what is even more amazing is their humility when I brag on them.

This is a rare opportunity to put someone in office who knows these government scams and seeks to put them down like a rabid animal. If you can't vote for me, or can't support the campaign financially, then please pray for me.

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Libertarian Candidate Jeff Bivins is leading the pack with 37% of the votes in an online poll sponsored by the Donalsonville News way down there in Seminole County.

It's not a definitive predictor for the election but it is news and better yet it's news you can influence by hurtling through cyber-space and adding your vote to the total. Early voting has closed and just like Libertarian James Camp's race in Sate Senate District 30, turn out in State Senate District 11 is riding at 1%.

According to the redoubtable Times-Georgian way over in Carroll County, early voting for the special election for State Senate District 30 hasn't even hit 1%.

Incredible.

I suppose we're all kinda burned out from last years disastrous November elections and what with the holidays and all folks just got other stuff to do. Well the holidays are done and every Libertarian in Georgia should spend a moment or two and post their opinion to the article published today by Winston Jones on the state of the race. I decided to lead off with the comment below:

Bully for Libertarian James Camp!

The differences in participation rates between the 6 NOV 12 general election and the results of the republican run off are staggering. Going from a 70% general election participation rate to a 6.9% run off participation rate really helps illustrate how valuable a vote becomes in the rare and exotic land of run offs. A vote on 8 JAN 2013 is worth 10 votes from 6 NOV 2012. A great return for tapping a touch screen.If you're one of the 19,000 Douglas county citizens, the 10,000 Carroll county citizens or one of the 15,000 Paulding county citizens that voted for either Libertarian Brad Ploeger or Libertarian David Staples for PSC last November then you really should consider hitting the polls and voting for Libertarian James Camp in the special election. Not all of those guys and gals will get to vote in this special election, but if only 3.5% of them take the time and make the effort, that spells victory for James Camp.Deny the Georgia republican party a super-majority at the Gold Dome. Cast your ballot for liberty! Vote for Libertarian James Camp!
The article currently has 302 views and my solo comment waiting for approval. Consider that this election has received great coverage in the district but virtually none elsewhere. Your participation can help James Camp win an unprecedented victory out there in Senate District 30 and put the kibosh on the Georgia republican party's dreams of a super-majority.

So tag in and state your case in support of James Camp. Better yet, if you live in the district or know somebody that does, get yourself and your buddies to the polls on Tuesday and.....

First there's the special election over in Georgia State Senate District 30 with Libertarian James Camp carrying the banner of Liberty. Now we have Libertarian Jeff Bivins jumping into the special election for Georgia Senate District 11 way down south near the Florida/Ala-damn-bama line.

All of this activity has been prompted by an unusual flurry of republican discontent and/or medical/family issues that have caused three duly elected republican office holders to bail out of the legislature. Two of 'em are headed towards greener full time employment pastures in state government courtesy of Governor Deal.

The end result is that the Libertarian Party of Georgia has two candidates qualified and running for State Senate seats in the affected districts. I also note that the other part of our fair states two party duopoly that has unrestricted ballot access, you know, the democrats, have failed to find anybody willing to run in either district 11 or district 30. Shouldn't they lose their "real political party" card over that?

There's still one day left in the qualifying process so there may be a surprise or two tomorrow but I kinda doubt it. The big news of the day is that the Libertarian Party of Georgia has two, count 'em, two State Senate candidates running for office.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

I've been a bit of a lay-about for the last 30 days or so but break time is over.

Biggest news of the last two days is the run off victory of republican Mike Dugan over republican Bill Hembree way out there in Georgia State Senate District 30. The expectation was that veteran politician Bill Hembree would get the nod and face off against Libertarian James Camp in the actual election on 8 JAN 2013. So much for conventional wisdom.

Now the hard work starts for James Camp.

While Dugan is not an entrenched republican incumbent, he will have access to resources that James Camp is gonna have a hard time matching. Sooner or later the rest of Georgia's media will catch on the fact that this special election for the Georgia Senate is going to determine whether or not we all get blessed with a republican super-majority down at the capitol. Sooner or later the voters of Georgia Senate District 30 will realize they get to call the shot on this. And it probably won't take all that many of them to determine if we run lemming like into republican state government that won't say no, or pause and and take a moment to consider.

The differences in participation rates between the 6 NOV 12 general election and the results of the republican run off yesterday are staggering. Going from a 70% general election participation rate to a 6.9% run off participation rate for yesterdays contest really helps illustrate how valuable a vote becomes in the rare and exotic land of run offs. A vote on 8 JAN 2013 is worth 10 votes from 6 NOV 2012. A great return for tapping a touch screen.

If you're one of the 19,000 Douglas county citizens, the 10,000 Carroll county citizens or one of the 15,000 Paulding county citizens that voted for either Libertarian Brad Ploeger or Libertarian David Staples for PSC last November then you really should consider hitting the polls and voting for Libertarian James Camp in the special election. Not all of those guys and gals will get to vote in the special election, but if only half of them take the time and make the effort, that's probably close to victory for James Camp.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

This election cycle is kaput. The ballots have been cast and will soon be tabulated by the central tabulator and the results made public. What will the evening bring?

According to Madame Zelda (noted Decatur Psychic, Palm Reader and Diviner of the Future) Libertarian Brad Ploeger will indeed cause a run off in the PSC District 3 race. Republican Incumbent Chuck Eaton will continue to scowl. No predictions where available for District 5 as on hand cash was insufficient for an second forecast.

Brad will be joining us tonight at the DeKalb LP's election night celebration so stop by and join us as we cheer his efforts as one of the LP's Citizen Politicians fighting the good fight and ensuring Libertarian concepts and ideals get into the political mix here in Georgia.

Brad is not the only LP luminary scheduled to speak tonight so stick around for commentary from Dr Don Prinz, Chair of the Mighty, Mighty DeKalb LP, Doug Harmon, Chair of the State LP and potentially a flurry of other champions of Liberty.

The gig starts swinging at 7:30P at the Famous Pub in the fabulous Toco Hills Shopping Center. Absolutely free and abundant well lit parking, huge stocks of adult beverages on tap on in the bottle and the best Tater Tots in town.

And a room full of sovereign individuals that really are planning to take over the government, and leave you the hell alone.

Monday, November 5, 2012

The date and time are fast approaching for the DeKalb LP's election night gathering, better known as "The Third Party Throwdown" at the Famous Pub in Toco Hills. The back room is ready with radio mic on stand for our scheduled speakers, the Wall-O-Flatsceens will be tuned to local TV, CNN, MSNBC, GPB, Fox and any other cable outfit covering the nights election returns. Think of it as a Libertarian Situation room with beer on tap.

Our speakers for evening are Dr. Don Printz chairman of the DeKalb LP, our candidate for PSC District 3 Brad Ploeger and Doug Harmon the chair of the Georgia LP.

There will also be a "Rush" t-shirt contest in honor of Mr. Wheatley over at Creative Loafing, but alas, no karaoke . We are also going to run an election night pool on long it takes local media to realize that Brad Ploeger is going to cause a run-off in the District 3 PSC race. We're pretty sure it's gonna happen and we're also pretty sure they haven't got a clue.

Additionally, if you had hoped to see Libertarian David Staples at the Third Party Throwdown, you won't. Candidate Staples has elected to attend the Douglas County LP's event at Oz Pizza in Douglasville on the 6th.

It's a pretty full schedule but it is a long evening. If you tire of the dreariness of local democrat gatherings or just can't take any more pompous republican posturing, then jump in the car and head over to Toco Hills and the Famous Pub. Plenty of free, free, free parking, oodles of good bar grub and bottomless vats of draft beer stand ready to assist in your participation in the "Third Party Throwdown".

P.S. This is post number 1000 here at Bludgeon&Skewer. The undisputed anchorman of Libertarian Blogging!